Getting Hybrid Work Right: Listen to What Your Employees Really Need

For companies around the world, the shift to hybrid work is just beginning. As employees head back to the office part-time, business leaders and HR teams must be intentional about their hybrid work strategies in order to monitor and adapt to new challenges as they arise.

Right now, employee engagement is the main challenge for many organizations launching their hybrid workplaces. How can companies ensure that all employees — whether fully remote, hybrid, or always on site — feel productive and supported? How can companies encourage employees to come back to the office without disrupting the workflows and work/life balance established over the last year and a half?

Creating a Positive Culture in a Hybrid Workplace

When it comes to bringing people back to the office, the stakes are very high. A recent study we conducted at Hibob found that 36 percent of workers are likely to quit their jobs if forced back to the office five days a week.

But if business leaders want to spare themselves from the Great Resignation, they have to think beyond the number of days they ask employees to come into the office. The shift to remote work required new processes and tools to maintain productivity and engagement among the members of a dispersed workforce. Hybrid work will require the same considerations.

Employers need to get ahead of potential productivity roadblocks by asking employees what they need to continue doing great work. Survey employees to find out how they’re feeling about returning to the office; include questions to determine whether you might need any additional communication or collaboration tools to support a hybrid work model.

Be deliberate with the questions you ask. Once your people’s sentiments are registered, you have to either deliver or risk losing their trust. Maintain open communication with employees about how you plan to address their concerns and any other important changes to the company. Continue to survey your employees every couple of months, as their attitudes and needs are likely to change over time.

Beyond surveying, HR teams need to put in a little more work to facilitate collaboration and connection when employees are working in a hybrid environment. Employees who have meaningful connections with coworkers are often happier, more productive, and more engaged, so it’s worth the investment. Consider giving employees a way to connect with one another around shared hobbies and interests, perhaps through channels on your digital communication platforms.

Now that the office is open, make sure teams are taking advantage of working side by side. Encourage team members to come to the office on the same day and reserve those days for group meetings and teamwork. When the whole team can go into the office and step away from the group Zoom calls, it makes collaboration and brainstorming a lot easier and way more engaging. Plus, strong team-building creates a strong work culture.

Watch Out for In-Office Favoritism

Hybrid work will reveal the different working styles of your employees. Naturally, some people will come into the office more than others. Business leaders and managers must be careful to avoid favoritism; remote workers should have the same work, project, and professional development opportunities as those who regularly come to HQ. Consider redesigning your office space to make more rooms available for video meetings, thereby allowing remote workers and those in the office to communicate with ease.

Celebrate and recognize all your employees to send the message that their hard work is seen and appreciated, whether it happens at home or in the office. Ensure managers have regular one-on-ones with all team members so that everyone gets the support and validation they need.

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The world of work is changing every day, and that means companies must cater to the needs of employees today while anticipating the challenges of tomorrow.

The future of the workplace is hybrid. Employees want the flexibility to work from anywhere, and if companies want to create happy and productive workforces, they need to give the people what they want.

But the next phase of the hybrid work experiment will ask business leaders to move beyond what people want and think about what they need: to stay engaged, connected, and supported.

Ronni Zehavi is CEO of Hibob.

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